Does the size of the battery make a difference?

on the 1.8L engine ,the OEM battery is a group 35 battery. on the 2.4L engine the OEM battery is group 24F, but alternate battery size is a group 35 battery.Toyota hasn't changed much over the years. my 98 camry will use either of the above and I went with the group 24F because it fit my battery tray perfectly and the top mounted battery hold down also fit perfectly and it had more CA/CCA....the group 24 is taller, wider and longer than the group 35. I have no plastic case around my battery,so that's not an issue.I have seen folks change their battery and other peoples batteries and throw that cover in the trash can though.

As long as the battery isn't touching the ground cable lug located at the bottom of the battery tray - on your tight standing in front of car - it'll r just fine - just put one in my sons Corolla and noticed it was close - just needed some adjustment. IF battery it actually touching that metal ground cable lug - it could possibly wear a hole in battery case. IF battery was installed by knowledgeable personnel - should be a problem - however sometimes knowledgeable personnel isn't available. Just an observation.